Monoprix in Paris

We need a définition.

If you want souvenirs-souvenirs,.check out the top floor or the Galeries Lafayette

Monoprix is comparable to Target in the US. Well-priced fashionable clothing, home goods, cosmetics and accessories with a very nice food section. I can’t remember seeing typical souvenirs like tea towels, ceramic Eiffel towers or Mona Lisa key chains - they may be there. I tend to look for souvenirs in museum shops and flea markets.

They do have reusable grocery bags that some folks on one of the France-oriented FB pages are going wild over.

And I agree it depends on what you mean by real souvenirs. I usually pop into a chain shop called Pylones that has inexpensive fun stuff with Paris themes.

They have Paris- and France-themed stuff in the section with clothes, umbrellas, scarves, bags, etc. in fact I was just thinking last weekend when I was there that they had a bigger section of that stuff than they used to have.

And of course they have (casual) "French" (French-designed, China- or India-made) tea towels, tableware, decorating accessories, etc.

and the same for cheap marinières or t-shirts with French words on them.

And yes lots of packaged food can make nice souvenirs -- canned chestnut purée, anyone ?

Not all Monoprix are created equal. Some are abysmal. I am around République and I cannot think of a good one near me. Back when I lived in the 15th, the one at rue Linois had a good selection of goods, but I am not sure it will scream "Paris".

Balso makes a good point. The one where I live (at Nation) is excellent (and big), but a person could definitely find themselves disappointed in a small, poorly stocked one.

What do you mean by souvenirs? I love their shopping bags with the handles encased in soft plastic tubing -- we do our grocery shopping on foot in Chicago and so being able to have these bags that are so friendly to the hands when loaded is great. We always bring a few back. They also have the little nylon bags you can tuck in a pocket and they come out in different patterns. the other thing we get there and bring back are the wash mitts. My husband likes to use French wash mitts in the shower and they are harder to find in the US -- Monoprix has good ones about two for 5 or 6 Euro.

they also have good toddler clothing.

The Monoprix on Rue Saint Antoine near Rue Saint Paul is large and you could probably find items there for souvenirs, especially if you are looking for food items like chocolate bars or preserves. I have bough souvenirs there but nothing that said Paris on them, more like stuff that seemed very French that I thought was cute like, for example, a backpack for one of my young nieces or some lotion for my sister. I've also bought souvenirs from the huge pharmacy in the Westfield mall at Chatelet-les-Halles. In fact, many of my stocking stuffer gifts for 2023 for my sister, BFF, and other women in my family came from that pharmacy.

I’ve been in many Monoprix and have never seen typical tourist souvenirs in any. The one near me in the 4th does not.

A good store for typical souvenirs, that are actually made in France, is
“Bring Home France” at 3 rue Birague, in the Marais (4th arrondissement). Rue Birague is off rue St Antoine and leads you into the Place des Vosges. You can go online and see what they have ahead of getting here. Or just order online and they will ship to you. Two older women own the store and speak English well.

Thank you all for your suggestions! I had heard about the Monoprix bags for shopping is a good gift. Always try to
"bring my own bags" even if not required and would like to encourage others to do the same! Any other ideas for shopping totes? Where would be a good place to buy a french "coffee table" book? Also any suggestions for teen boy and girl. Girl very into make-up and boy into physical fitness. Any help is appreciated. We are staying in the 6th Adroissment and cannot drag my husband all over Paris for souvenirs in our short trip. No plastic Eiffel towers please!

If you’re staying in the 6th, a trip to La Grande Epicerie is almost mandatory. I still have tote bags from there I bought ten years ago. They’re incredibly sturdy. I expect to use them forever.

You may find a few things there that you’d like to bring home. ~said as a great understatement~

teens are so particular -- we got our granddaughter who is busily creating her own animated comic, copies of early TinTin graphic novels and then a modern one aimed at French teens so she could see the styles used. It was a hit. There are stores selling graphic novels and manga all over Paris. But obviously that is a very specific interest. (she is also attuned to things like the ethnocentrism and racism found in graphic novels created nearly 100 years ago.)

for kids the clothes in shops like d'Pam are moderately priced and different from what peers in the US will have but also not weird. There is a trend of putting English words on French kids clothes which ruins them for Americans buying for kids back home. I bought my then 5 year old grandson a puffy coat at d'Pam last year that is blue on one side and reverses to a really fun dinosaur print on the other -- he loves it, still wears it this year and is the source of envy.

Makeup--Monoprix, smaller selection that won't leave you reeling, or the huge pharmacy in Les Halles shopping center JHK mentioned. I'm not a fan of Cité Pharma. Sports equipment --Décathalon.

Speaking of Decathlon, I was in the one on Blvd Saint Germain in November and they were offering fabric tote bags bags with "Paris" and "2024 Olympics" on them for use as shopping bags for, I think, about 10€ more than the cost of a regular shopping bag. I bought one to carry my purchase to my apartment and after I got back to the US, I gave it to one of my nieces and she loved it. That bag could be a cute souvenir and it took up no room in my luggage.
Depending on your budget, check out https://www.empreintes-paris.com/pages/decouvrir-lieu for handmade items from French artisans. It's a great store.

In the 6th, for fans of the book, there’s Le Petit Prince Store at 8 Rue Grégoire de Tours, 75006. Charming store with all things Little Prince.

Depends on the type of souvenir you like to bring home. Me, I love spices, salt (truffle salt, fleur de sel), toothpaste (eg, Marvis and not the brands you get at home), chocolates, and things in squeeze-out tubes (tomato paste, mustard, mayo, etc - stuff you don't find in the US). And yes, I've found most those things at Monoprix.
I prefer to bring home consumables as I'm already full-up with tchotchkes and I love having something I use every day (toothpaste) or with my cooking.
I also find my friends love the kitchen towels I've brought them - easy to pack, they don't break and take up little space.
Again, it's what you prefer.
Happy shopping!

For coffee table books the museum gift shops are a good place. There is a beautiful one attached to the Museum of Decorative Arts. https://madparis.fr/librairie-boutique And several large bookstores on the Rue de Rivoli across from the Jardins des Tuileries near the Louvre as well.

If you were talking about items traditionally found in souvenir stands monoprix is probably not your place. However for me a souvenir is some thing that allows me to remember Paris, so I buy the bags that everyone mentioned above, I buy make up I particularly prefer the Bourjois brand. They also have clothing that can be quite fun. In addition I like to buy bar shampoo and other items that make me remember my time in Paris so I guess it’s what ever will help you remember your time. I’ve even brought back scented, colored TP. Probably not items that my friends or family would enjoy the same way that I do.

My favorite souvenir is Freedent Blueberry mint gum, ymmv. I get them at Franprix, but not all Franprix has them, trust me, I look.

Same with Monoprix, everyone is different. I just stayed in the 1st last month so was able to hit the Monoprix at les Halles, wide variety of stuff, including some souvenirs. Had to bring home a Paris coffee mug with a black cat. And the pharmacy in Les Halles is pretty good too - tbc, however, I have not been to Citypharma YET. Oh, need to start planning my 4th trip.

One of my best finds is at BHV, their reusable bags. They have the 'standard' size but also have HUGE ones, 5.90E.

From Wikipedia, here is an explanation of the trade names of the various stores under Monoprix management:

"Monoprix currently has more than 700 shops in total: most under the Monoprix brand, but also smaller Monop', Monop' Daily, Monop' Station, Monop' Beauty, and Naturalia formats."

Ahhh Monoprix! I've started buying all my work clothes there. And if you are there in the winter, their cashmere collection is inexpensive and pretty high quality. I love being back in the US and getting a compliment on a blouse. "Oh, I just got it in Paris..."

People also love the store-brand toiletries (lotion, etc.) that I bring back as stocking stuffers. They also have fun, basic Christmas decorations.

Their food selection is good, too, but for edible souvenirs, we prefer the selection and pricing at E Leclercs.